Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Friday 29 March |
Good Friday
Aleteia logo
Spirituality
separateurCreated with Sketch.

What does the peacock symbolize in Christian art?

PEACOCK

Sharon Mollerus |CC

Peacock - Ancient Greeks believed the flesh of a peacock did not decay after death. When Christianity spread through Greece, the peacock became a symbol for everlasting life.

Philip Kosloski - published on 06/26/17

For the early Church its beautiful feathers and tough skin revealed a heavenly reality.

Please consider a gift for Aleteia!
Help us spread the joy of Christ's victory.
Aleteia depends on your support.

Join our Lenten Campaign 2024.

DONATE NOW

Peacocks have captured the imagination of humanity for thousands of years. Even King Solomon was known to possess peacocks as a symbol of his great wealth (see 1 Kings 10:22).

There was an ancient belief that the peacock’s skin was incorruptible and resisted decay even after death. Saint Augustine tested this theory and was surprised at how long it did last, revealing in City of God, “a year later, it was still the same, except that it was a little more shriveled, and drier.”

This strange phenomenon led many cultures in the ancient world to see the peacock as a sign of immortality and for the Christian, a reminder of heaven. The peacock’s feathers, which would molt annually, further solidified the connection and added the spiritual symbol of the resurrection when the peacock would grow new feathers.

Additionally, the eye-shape pattern on the peacock’s feathers reminded Christians of the all-seeing eye of God.

For these reasons peacocks were found frequently in Christian catacombs and churches and featured prominently on tombs, being a perfect symbol of eternal life and the immortality of the soul.

Tags:
ArtHeaven
Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.